Question:

How can I make homework easier?

Word Processing for Beginners

(this tip is for younger students)

Using a computer to write is fun and easy. And you can make what you write look awesome!

Start by writing your paper. Maybe you have to write about your dog. Tell something general about your dog, like why you think your dog is the best dog on your street. Then tell some details like what kind of dog you have, what it looks like, and how you got your dog. You might say something funny, like what your dog does that isn't so wonderful.

After you have your paper written, then you can make it loook good. Use the spell checker. Then you can use the format menu or the tool buttons to change the way your paper looks.

Make the letter size a 12 or 14. Use bold for the title. Underline any book titles. Use italics to show off something. Change the color of words to be creative.

Have fun with your computer. It can help you write better.

Long Term Assignments

These are often the hardest homework assignments for youngsters to keep track of and to complete.

Know what assignments are due when.
In addition to having a weekly assignment book where daily homework is recorded, it is also advisable to have a monthly calendar on which long term assignments can be written as soon as they are assigned. With younger or more disorganized students parents may want to periodically send in this calendar and ask the classroom teacher to verify that it is up-to-date. Older students should be able to keep these themselves, transferring items as necessary from their weekly assignment book.
Break long term assignments into sub tasks.
Sit down with your child and read over directions or discuss the nature of the long term assignment. Make out a list of the steps necessary to complete the assignment. If desired, this can be a fairly lengthy outline with notes attached providing more guidance about what is to be included for each step. For written reports, for instance, the steps might include taking notes, generating an outline, writing the introduction, the sections of the report and the summary, preparing a bibliography, drawing any necessary maps and charts, proofreading, preparing the final draft, and making a cover.
Draw up a time line.
Once the outline is developed, each sub task should than have due date attached to it and should be written on the monthly calendar.

Care should be taken to ensure adequate time is available for each step. A long report will require that more time be devoted to each step, particularly preparing the final draft and proofreading. If the long term assignment requires that your child use the library, visit a museum, or gather information from outside sources, include these trips on the time line, with dates attached. If materials need to be purchased, the time when this will happen should also be identified.

In the beginning, your child will probably need extensive help breaking down his assignments and developing a realistic time line. As time goes on, he can assume increasing amounts of responsibility for these. Time management is a skill of life-long importance. Developing increasing independence in planning for and executing long term assignments is an early opportunity for a child to acquire this valuable skill.

Answer “Why?”

Giving someone a reason to do something is a vital secret to success. Not only in dealing with your child's education but also in your own life.

Robert Cialdini, Ph.D. in his book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” talks about an experiment by a psychologist from Harvard, who concluded people like to have a reasons for what they do. This experiment consisted of people waiting in line to use the copy machine and having someone ask to get
ahead in line. The first excuse used was “Excuse me, I have five pages. May I use the Xerox machine because I'm in a rush?” This request-plus-reason was
successful 94% of the time.

However when the experimenter made a request nly: “Excuse me, I have five pages. May I use the Xerox machine?” This request was only granted 60% of the time.

Okay now for the shocker. It might seem the difference between those two requests was the additional information of “because I'm in a rush.” But that's not the case. The only word that triggers a magic response is “because”.

Here's the clincher: In a third experiment the experimenter asks “Excuse me, I have five pages. May I use the Xerox machine because I have to make some
copies?” There's no reason mentioned just the words “because”.

This time 93% of the people said yes simply due to the word ‘BECAUSE'!

So, what can you say to your child the next time they complain about doing homework? Give them a reason why…

Your teacher and I want you to do your homework because:

Teaching and learning research shows that students who spend more time on homework do better in school. (logical reasoning)

We want to be sure you understand the lesson. (a challenge)

So you can learn how to find and use more information on the subject (exploration)

We want you to be successful, so we need to make sure you are doing your best in school and at home (involvement)

These are of course just a few examples you can use. Anything could potentially work well as long as you follow a few simple rules.

1. Make school a team effort. (your teacher and I)

2. Give an adult reason (no because I said so's)

3. No negotiating! I cover homework rewards and punishments on the free bonus CD that comes in the Homework Motivator package.